Roberto Mancini has said that he is "relieved" to have secured a place in next season's Champions League.

Man City's 1-0 win over Spurs at Eastlands last night guarantees the team at least a fourth place finish this season, with the possibility of third if they can overtake Arsenal, who are currently two points ahead.

"When I arrived I said in two or three years Manchester City will become one of the top teams in Europe, and this is the first step," Mancini told reporters afterwards. "We have everything to do this."

"This is a very important moment for this club, and I am very proud. It is a relief - I am happy because it was our first target, and so I can congratulate the players because they have done a fantastic job now."

Mancini conceded that it would be "difficult" to overtake the Gunners with two games of the season remaining, adding that it was now "very important" for the squad to focus on this weekend's FA Cup final against Stoke.